Digital accelerator

HI NENC is delivering a Digital Pioneers programme to support digital innovation within primary care.

The digital accelerator programme is a workstream of the programme to help facilitate, design and develop new ways of working across primary care in a rapid way. The programme utilises design thinking, continuous improvement, best practice and shared knowledge.

The team at HI NENC, supported by NECS, have many years of experience supporting the healthcare system with service transformation, change management and continuous improvement. This programme brings together this experience to support primary care to review and redesign services.

Programme objectives 

HI NENC will support primary care teams to:

  • Adopt new ways of working
  • Review and redesign pathways
  • Increase capacity in general practice
  • Increase knowledge of digital technology
  • Encourage the spread and adoption learning and materials.

The first accelerator pilot programme is currently in development and has involved working with practices in the region to pilot the use of remote monitoring within clinical pathways. Find out more below.

Remote monitoring pilot project (September 2023 – March 2024)

Across the North East and North Cumbria there has been significant investment in digital technology that can be used in different ways to maximise  interactions with patients to benefit practices and patients. The pilot utilises this existing technology to test new ways of working.

HI NENC supported five GP practices in the region to pilot the use of remote monitoring within the several clinical pathways, over a six-month period. The pathways included: UTI, Contraception pill reminder, HRT diabetes, new patient registrations, and blood pressure checks

Rapid discovery

The pathways were identified at a rapid discovery session. Read more about this process here.

Programme resources

Tried and tested resources have been developed including standard operating procedures, so that other practices can embed new pathways into their organisation. Download resources.

Evaluation

Full evaluation report – by The University of Sunderland

Executive summary

PPIE report – from Involve North East

“HI NENC is delighted to share the real world evaluation of the Remote Monitoring in General Practice project. This evidence provides a  comprehensive review of the programme which has equipped practices with new skills and innovative ways of working on an accelerated basis. It identifies improvement opportunities and creates capacity to manage increased demand for services.

“Overall, the project has demonstrated the significant and far-reaching potential of remote monitoring in general practice. The benefits of this approach included time and cost savings, reduced appointment pressures, improved access to care for those in need, enhanced patient safety, increased practitioner and patient satisfaction, potential for greater patient empowerment, general practice sustainability and environmental benefits.

“The reports conclude that the programme is of great value and serves as a model for best practice in general practice. We’re thrilled with the programme’s success, which have only been possible through partnership working with practices, and I’m very excited to continue this momentum with a second wave of the programme starting later this year.” – Rachael Forbister, Digital Transformation Programme Manager

For more information or to get involved please contact Rachael Forbister, Programme Manager.

To find out more about how to access service redesign visit our Innovation Design Service webpage